San Angelo Health Foundation Cumulative Grants Now Exceed $44 Million

San Angelo Health Foundation announced it has reached a milestone.  Since its founding, the Foundation has committed $44,070,969 to community projects with the most recent announcement of grant awards.  Foundation President Tom Early said that the Health Foundation was founded on the proceeds of the $44 million sale of the old Community Hospital to Columbia/HCA in 1995.  Since then, the trustees have made good investments and, while continuously donating millions to community organizations and projects each year,  brought the Foundation's endowment back to the same level it had when it was founded. Early said the Foundation conducts very little fundraising. instead the vast majority of the organization's capital is grown through investments.

Board Chair Mike Boyd announced the San Angelo Health Foundation has awarded $274,314 to twelve area non-profit organizations, bringing Foundation commitments to over $2.5 million for 2014.  Approximately 190 organizations and 439 projects have benefitted from Foundation funding in its eighteen years of grantmaking. 

Grants Chair Marilyn Aboussie said the following applications for funding were approved:  

• Angelo State University was awarded $78,044 for athletic training equipment such as whirlpools and ergometers.  The equipment will aid in treating the over 350 student athletes and be used in their athletic training program. 
• Boys & Girls Club of San Angelo was awarded $100,000 for program expansion and replacement air conditioning for their Northside Club gymnasium.  For over 49 years they have served youth ages 6 – 18 in our community.  Approximately 200 youth participate in their after school programs with as many as 400 attending during the summer months.
• Grape Creek United Methodist Church was awarded $13,900 for improvements to their food pantry.  Funding will provide insulation, a handicap ramp and shelving to benefit the 500 individuals they serve each month. 
• First United Methodist Church, Mason, Texas was awarded $6,300 to provide playground improvements for their children’s ministry.  As the only licensed child care facility in Mason, they serve 60 – 75 children from 3 months to 4 years in addition to an after school program for K – 3^rd grade.  
• Menard County Hospital District was awarded $25,250 toward a new ambulance.  The Menard Emergency Medical Service responded to 336 calls last year, 250 of which were 9-1-1 calls. 
• West Texas Boys Ranch as awarded $34,820 for facility improvements and furniture.  Since 1947 the Boys Ranch has been a home and working ranch for young males ages 6 – 17. 
• Unsolicited seasonal assistance grants for six organizations totaling $16,000 were also awarded for Christmas programming needs to:  Boys & Girls Club of San Angelo, Concho Valley Home for Girls/Children's Emergency Shelter, Children’s Advocacy Center, House of Faith, MOSAIC San Angelo, Salvation Army and San Angelo State Supported Living Center Volunteer Services Council. 

Grant application and financial information can be found at www.sahfoundation.org.